Supporting cutter assemblies for multiple grooving of pavement

ABSTRACT

Vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement is provided with ganged cutter assemblies, certain of which are stowable inboard when not in use and are movable to outboard use positions as desired. A preferred ganging has a W-shaped plan, with a cutter assembly located at each apex and each end of the W.

United States Patent 191 Staab I Dec. 11, 1973 1 SUPPORTING CUTTER ASSEMBLIES FOR MULTIPLE GROOVING OF PAVEMENT [75] lnventor: Donald C. Staab, Warrington, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Cardinal Industries, Incorporated,

Conshohocken, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 21 App]. No.: 212,253

[52] US. Cl 299/39, 51/176, 299/80 [51] Int. Cl. E01c 23/09 [58] Field of Search 299/39-41; 51/176; 172/55 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,400,906 5/1946 Beck 299/39 X 3,572,842 3/1971 Mori 299/39 Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney-Charles A. McClure et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement is provided with ganged cutter assemblies, certain of which are stowable inboard when not in use and are movable to outboard use positions as desired. A preferred ganging has a W-shaped plan, with a cutter assembly located at each apex and each end of the W.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SUPPORTING CUTTER ASSEMBLIES FOR MULTIPLE GROOVING OF PAVEMENT Reference is made to my similarly entitled copending patent application, Ser. No. 212,475 filed concurrently herewith, and the benefit thereof is claimed for the present application.

This invention relates to grooving of pavement, particularly multiple grooving thereof to improve traction thereon, especially when wet.

Vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement is know. However, designs thereof by prior inventors are relatively inconvenient, inefficient, and productive of insufficiently uniform grooving.

A primary object of the present invention is improved mounting of cutter assemblies in apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement.

Another object is improved construction of support means for such cutter assemblies.

A further object is provision of vehicular apparatus with improved arrangement of cutter assemblies for multiple grooving of pavement.

Other objects of the present invention, together with means and methods for attaining the various objects, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying diagrams of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of vehicular apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of the same apparatus.

taken at IIII on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation taken as indicated at IIIIII on FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, on an enlarged scale, taken at IVIV on FIG. 1.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished in vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, support means carried by the frame, a plurality of cutter assemblies supported thereby, and means for rotating the cutter heads of such assemblies to groove pavement in contact therewith. As explained in more detail below, this is done by means of ganged arrangement of cutter assemblies, certain of which are preferably movable laterally from a retracted or stowed position to an extended or operating position.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show such vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement in diagrammatic plan, side elevation, and front elevation, respectively. Greater detail of the individual cutter assemblies and their support for tilting and vertical movement generally is provided in my aforementioned copending patent application and is not essential to an understanding of the present invention.

Frame 10, shown with vanlike superstructure 9, is supported on wheels 11, and its corners and carriers means for supporting cutter assemblies 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and 2le in ganged arrangement having'a W-shaped plan (FIG. 1) with one cutter assembly at each apex and each end of the W. Thus, the forward direction of vehicle movement being to the left (FIGS. 1 and 2), forward cutter assemblies 21a and 21e are at the ends of such W arrangement, middle cutter assembly 210 at the central apex, and aft cutter assemblies 21b and 21d at the bottom apexes thereof. Cutter heads 22a to e of the respective cutter assemblies are aligned in operating position to track edge to edge without overlap or gaps in the resulting pattern of multiple grooving. Each cutter head has laterally spaced cutting surfaces provided by laterally spaced rotary blades (or equivalent structure) not shown in detail here.

Cutter assemblies 21a to e have respective extensible-retractable means 30a to e interconnected to support means 26a to e, respectively, to lift and lower the respective cutter heads into and out of contact with the pavement by pivoting the cutter assemblies about transverse horizontal supporting shafts 20a to e. Support means 260 for the middle cutter assembly and 26b and 26d for the aft cutter assemblies depend from and are affixed to frame 10. In the instance of forward cutter assemblies 21a and 21e, however, support means 26a and 26e are auxiliary to main support means 27a and 27e affixed to the frame.

FIG. 4 shows on an enlarged scale the supporting means for the forward left cutter assembly (21a, not visible in this view). Main support means 27a comprises pair of posts 3711 and 39a located, respec tively, forward and aft of auxiliary support means 26a joined along the underside of a longitudinal member of frame 10. Behind the plane of this view and hidden by the posts are another pair of like posts depending from the underside of the frame and spaced transversely from the first pair somewhat less than the width of a cutter assembly. Mounted rotatably about a vertical axis at the bottom of each post is one of sheaves 40, suitably retained, as by the illustrated bolt and nut. Auxiliary support means 26a has horizontal tubular sheave-engaging tracks 43a and 44a affixed, resepctively, to the leading and trailing edges thereof near the top.

It will be apparent that cutter assembly 21a on auxiliary support means 26a is adapted to be moved transversely between a stowed position inboard of the frame and a ready or operating position outboard. During such movement the tracks of auxiliary frame means 26a roll along in engagement with sheaves 40. The outboard position appears in FIG. 1, while the inboard position resembles that of laterally fixed cutter assembly 21b (in that plan view). As is evident in FIG. 3, the tracks of left forward cutter assembly 26a (aft track 44a visible) are at a higher level than those (aft track 44e visible) of right forward cutter assembly 2le, by reason of shorter posts in main support means 27a for the former than in main support means 27e for the latter. This permits them to nest in the fully inboard or stowed position. It will be understood that stowable cutter assemblies 260 and 26e are lifted to raise their cutter heads from the pavement, by retraction of corresponding extensible-retractable means 30a and 30e, preparatory to movement thereof outboard and back inboard of the vehicle frame. Conventional fastening means (not shown) secures the auxiliary support means in the desired inboard or outboard position.

The apparatus of this invention may be operated with any number from one to all the cutter heads lowered into grooving contact with the pavement, although generally at least a majority of them will be actively operating. Also, those operating will usually be mutually adjacent so as to avoid leaving an ungrooved width of pavement. The use of such multiple heads, each from about 2% to 3% feet wide, provides great flexibility in width cut, and fractional widths can be provided by removal of part of the cutting blades, as is readily apparent from my aforementioned patent application. Additional features shown in the diagrams but not emphasized in connection with the present invention are horizontal longitudinal or fore-and-aft supporting shafts 19a to e (FIG. 3) upon which the cutter assemblies are free to tilt to follow contour irregularities in the pavement insufficiently extensive to tilt the vehicular apparatus frame. Visible at the front (left side of FIGS. 1 and 2) is driver platform 6 extending ahead of the frame and supporting also his seat 7 and control panel 8. Hydraulic or electrical wheel drive motors are partially visible in FIG. 2 as are similarly driven individual motors 17a to e and gearboxes 16a to e (see also FIG. 2) for the respective cutter heads.

Other advantages of the apparatus of this invention doubtless will accrue to the benefit of those who undertake to use it. Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, modifications may be made therein, as by adding, combining, or subdividing parts, or by substituting equivalents, while retaining at least some of such advantages of the invention, which itself is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, support means carried by the frame, a plurality of cutter assemblies supported thereby, each having a rotatable cutter head, and means for rotating the cutter heads of such assemblies to groove pavement in contact therewith, the improvement comprising a ganged arrangement of the cutter assemblies, including a first pair of cutter assemblies spaced laterally apart from one another and a second pair of cutter assemblies spaced laterally apart from one another, the respective pairs of cutter assemblies being spaced longitudinally apart from one another relative to the direction of vehicular travel, wherein the lateral spacing of a pair of cutter assemblies is variable between an extended position for use in cutting and a retracted stowed position, including auxiliary support means accommodating lateral movement of the cutter assemblies between the extended and retracted positions comprising tracks extending laterally along main support means for each such cutter assembly, and track-engaging means carried by the vehicle frame adjacent such support means of each such cutter assembly and mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis, providing coincident rotational movement of the track-engaging means and lateral movement of the cutter assemblies supported at least in part thereby.

2. Vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, wherein a vehicle frame carries support means for a plurality of cutter assemblies rotatable to groove pavement in contact therewith, comprising five cutter assemblies ganged for use in a W plane, with a cutter assembly at each apex and each end of the W, wherein the pair of cutter assemblies more widely spaced from one another, at use locations corresponding to the ends of the W, are retractable to stowed position, including auxiliary support means, the latter pair of cutter assemblies and rotatable track-engaging means adjacent each such edge, accommodating movement thereof between use and stowed positions.

3. ln vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, support means carried by the frame, a plurality of cutter assemblies supported thereby having rotatable cutter heads, and means for rotating the cutter heads of such assemblies to groove pavement in contact therewith, means for supporting at least one of such assemblies for lateral movement between an inboard stowed position and an outboard operating position comprising tracks along the main support means for each of the latter pair of cutter assemblies and rotatable track-engaging means adjacent each such edge, accommodating movement thereof between use and stowed positions.

4. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a pair of laterally spaced cutter assemblies are provided with such auxiliary support means, and wherein the respective tracks are at different levels for partial overlapping and nesting thereof upon retraction to the stowed inboard position.

5. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pair of cutter assemblies are laterally spaced on opposite sides of the vehicle frame.

6. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, a cutter assembly depending therefrom having a cutter head rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to produce multiple grooves in pavement when in contact therewith, the improvement comprising means interconnecting the cutter assembly to the frame for vertical and lateral movement relative thereto, including substantially vertically extending means for lowering and lifting the cutter assembly and transversely extending means for moving the cutter assembly laterally substantially parallel to the head axis.

7. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transversely extending means includes tracks and rollers adapted to extend the cutter assembly outboard of the vehicle frame and to retract it inboard thereof.

8. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the frame carries such tracks affixed thereto, and the cutter assembly carries such rollers axially affixed thereto.

9. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, a cutter assembly depending therefrom having a cutter head rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to produce multiple grooves in pavement when in contact therewith, the improvement in supporting means for such cutter assembly comprising a subframe carried by and movable laterally relative to the vehicle frame and carrying the cutter assembly at essentially constant height for movement horizontally outboard and inboard relative thereto.

10. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cutter assembly includes a cutter head rotatable about a horizontal axis pivotally supported by the frame and includes also means for lowering and assembly head. 

1. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, support means carried by the frame, a plurality of cutter assemblies supported thereby, each having a rotatable cutter head, and means for rotating the cutter heads of such assemblies to groove pavement in contact therewith, the improvement comprising a ganged arrangement of the cutter assemblies, including a first pair of cutter assemblies spaced laterally apart from one another and a second pair of cutter assemblies spaced laterally apart from one another, the respective pairs of cutter assemblies being spaced longitudinally apart from one another relative to the direction of vehicular travel, wherein the lateral spacing of a pair of cutter assemblies is variable between an extended position for use in cutting and a retracted stowed position, including auxiliary support means accommodating lateral movement of the cutter assemblies between the extended and retracted positions comprising tracks extending laterally along main support means for each such cutter assembly, and track-engaging means carried by the vehicle frame adjacent such support means of each such cutter assembly and mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis, providing coincident rotational movement of the track-engaging means and lateral movement of the cutter assemblies supported at least in part thereby.
 2. Vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, wherein a vehicle frame carries support means for a plurality of cutter assemblies rotatable to groove pavement in contact therewith, comprising five cutter assemblies ganged for use in a W plane, with a cutter assembly at each apex and each end of the W, wherein the pair of cutter assemblies more widely spaced from one another, at use locations corresponding to the ends of the W, are retractable to stowed position, including auxiliary support means, the latter pair of cutter assemblies and rotatable track-engaging means adjacent each such edge, accommodating movement thereof between use and stowed positions.
 3. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, support means carried by the frame, a plurality of cutter assemblies supported thereby having rotatable cutter heads, and means for rotating the cutter heads of such assemblies to groove pavement in contact therewith, means for supporting at least one of such assemblies for lateral movement between an inboard stowed position and an outboard operating position comprising tracks along the main support means for each of the latter pair of cutter assemblies and rotatable track-engaging means adjacent each such edge, accommodating movement thereof between use and stowed positions.
 4. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a pair of laterally spaced cutter assemblies are provided with such auxiliary support means, and wherein the respective tracks are at different levels for partial overlapping and nesting thereof upon retraction to the stowed inboard position.
 5. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pair of cutter assemblies are laterally spaced on opposite sides of the vehicle frame.
 6. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, a cutter assembly depending therefrom having a cutter head rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to produce multiple grooves in pavement when in contact therewith, the improvement comprising means interconnecting the cutter assembly to the frame for vertical and lateral movement relative thereto, including substantially vertically extending means for lowering and lifting the cutter assembly and transversely extending means for moving the cutter assembly laterally substantially parallel to the head axis.
 7. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transversely extending means includes tracks and rollers adapted to extend the cutter assembly outboard of the vehicle frame and to retract it inboard thereof.
 8. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the frame carries such tracks affixed thereto, and the cutter assembly carries such rollers axially affixed thereto.
 9. In vehicular apparatus for multiple grooving of pavement, including a vehicle frame, a cutter assembly depending therefrom having a cutter head rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to produce multiple grooves in pavement when in contact therewith, the improvement in supporting means for such cutter assembly comprising a subframe carried by and movable laterally relative to the vehicle frame and carrying the cutter assembly at essentially constant height for movement horizontally outboard and inboard relative thereto.
 10. Pavement grooving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cutter assembly includes a cutter head rotatable about a horizontal axis pivotally supported by the frame and includes also means for lowering and raising the cutter at any lateral location of the cutter assembly head. 